There are many examples of promotional gifts and premiums that have shaped the history of advertising merchandise. Let's take a trip down memory lane to discover some promotional gift ideas with this retrospective on premiums.
Examples of historical promotional items
The Bonus Gift
The famous Bonux gift was a major success in the 1980s. Small freebies included in the laundry detergent box propelled the brand to the top of the sales charts. This success made it iconic, and the brand distinguished itself from its inception thanks to this strategy of offering an additional gift with the sale of its detergent. These gifts, designed to encourage purchases, included small cars, figurines, thimbles, or butter knives—often toys or practical items for housewives and their children.
The Pif Gadget
From its inception in 1969, the weekly magazine offered an extraordinary free gift inserted within the magazine. It became a huge success in the 1970s and 80s, with print runs exceeding 500,000 copies. It even reached over 1 million copies for some truly memorable free gifts, such as the jumping beans.
Coca-Cola yo-yos
Coca-Cola had the brilliant idea of reviving the yo-yo craze in 1985. Coca-Cola created its own promotional item: a high-quality yo-yo accompanied by tricks and competitions organized by the brand. The success was immense and lucrative, with the brand selling millions of these famous yo-yos at tobacconists.
The pine tree craze
In the 1980s, pins from every brand flooded the globe, a real boon for the companies. These promotional items allowed them to adapt their sales strategies. Furthermore, collectors and other pin enthusiasts delighted in acquiring these exclusive items.
The Kellogg's gift
Cereal brands have always included a small toy at the bottom of the box to delight children. These toys often feature the brand's mascots and have now become iconic promotional items.
The Kinder Surprise by Ferrero
In 1974, Ferrero, already well-established in the chocolate world, had the idea of "extending" Easter all year round by creating the Kinder Egg! The goal was to bring magic to children with their chocolate eggs. Still popular today, the egg was an immediate success, combining the idea of toys and collectibles.
A free smart car
Some real estate groups even offered a free car with the purchase of a house or apartment. A premium gift that made a lasting impression and built brand recognition.
The bracelet looms
The loom wave swept across the globe in 2013. These small, colorful rings captivated people with their simplicity and creative appeal. Originating in the United States, the trend spread rapidly throughout the world.
The fidget hand spinner
Many companies claim to have invented the fidget spinner. But ultimately, none holds a patent or trademark. It's a unique phenomenon, a kind of collective creation produced in China. This toy, which isn't really a toy at all, is said to improve concentration. However, it has been banned in most schools.
Now it's up to you to write the next chapter in the history of promotional rewards. And in our opinion, the main character will be the eco-friendly goodie.
To be continued…